Looking to pick up a new craft? How about refreshing your skills in a medium you haven’t practiced of late? Or do you have a great concept for an art piece, but need more time and resources to research it? Thanks to the internet, there is a vast amount of knowledge out there. It’s just a matter of knowing where to look. We have compiled here several resources for varying kinds of knowledge – craft for craft and mixed media artists looking into new methods of fabrication, video for digital media use, fine arts for artists looking for specific tips, and art history for historical context. Check out the following links to tutorials by Open Culture, SmARThistory, CraftArtEdu, Vimeo’s Video School, and ArtGraphicA.
 Open CultureDirectory of free video-based courses Open Culture has a unique inventory of e-courses in audio and video format from top universities. With links to YouTube, iTunes, and Vimeo, Open Culture has scoured the internet to gather courses on history, literature, law, philosophy, and yes, even art history. If you are looking for inspiration or historical and cultural context for a subject you have already chosen, then Open Culture provides an excellent list of resources. |
 SmARThistoryFree art history video tutorials One resource listed on Open Culture deserves an entire section of its own, and that is the SmARThistory series. Started by art historian and museum professional, Beth Harris of the Modern Museum of Art (MoMA), in conjunction with art history professor Steven Zucker of the Pratt Institute, the video series features guest appearances by diverse art experts. With over 400 videos covering all mediums of art from BCE to the 21st century, SmARThistory has been used by college professors and autodidacts alike to expand their knowledge of art history as a whole or of a specific painting. |
 CraftArtEdu Free and fee-based video tutorialsCraftArtEdu offers free and for pay classes that address specific aspects of craft and fine arts training ranging from novice to advanced. CraftArtEdu contains many specialized craft techniques that could be useful for artists who are experimenting with new mediums and methods. Titles of free courses include Peyote Stitch Tutorial (beading), Adobe Photoshop for Textile Design (Basic Settings), Basic Armature for a Sculpture (polymer clay), and Embossing with Rubber Stamps. Taught by qualified artists, even the for pay classes are often within the $5-30 price range. |
 Vimeo’s Video SchoolFree video editing and design tutorials Vimeo’s Video School is a collection of free instructional videos curated by Vimeo staff with categories to connect you faster to the things you want to learn that are at your skill level. A combination of staff and user submissions, the Video School offers tutorials in shooting films, creating Do It Yourself gear, lighting, and video-editing software at beginner and advanced levels. Some interesting lessons include: The Basics of Image Resolution, The Art of Lens Whacking, Making an Animated Title Sequence, and Gaff Tape: King of Tapes. Video School could be useful for film, animation, and video artists looking to pick up new techniques and for artists who want to use film to document their work or enhance their website. |
 ArtGraphicAFree fine art pdf and web tutorials Designed for fine art students, ArtGraphicA tutorials consist of web page and pdf documents with frame by frame shots of works in progress and diagrams to complement the instructions. Professional artists who are branching out into new mediums or who are interested in the techniques of other artists might find ArtGraphicA’s resources interesting. With lessons in drawing, oil painting, watercolor, acrylic, charcoal, and pen and ink, ArtGraphicA supports a diverse array of fine arts skill sets. The site also offers a selection of free e-books such as Charcoal Drawing without a Master, Freehand Drawing, and The Anatomy of Trees. |
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